HC Deb 18 June 1958 vol 589 cc1107-8
22. Mr. Teeling

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the fact that access to London Airport by train via Feltham is swifter and cheaper than by omnibus from the air terminal in Cromwell Road, and in view of the additional traffic congestion which was caused by those omnibuses, if he will set up a working party to devise means of preventing the recurrence of such traffic congestion.

Mr. Neave

While I do not wholly accept my hon. Friend's assumptions, the Department has a number of schemes under consideration for speeding up traffic between Central London and the airport.

Mr. Teeling

Whilst being able to ask the question only from my personal experience since the strike started, may I ask my hon. Friend if he is aware how much easier it is to get to Waterloo Station and get on a train, for which one pays half-a-crown instead of 5s. on the bus, and arrive in complete comfort twenty minutes earlier at the airport? In view of the fact that when the strike is over we shall be cluttered up again with heavy traffic, is not it a pity that we should have to have all these extra buses when it is so simple to get there by train?

Mr. Neave

I do not agree with my hon. Friend; I do not think his facts are right. My information is that the scheduled time for airport coaches travelling from the terminal to London Airport is forty minutes, whereas it takes fifty-six minutes to travel from Waterloo by train to Feltham and thence by coach to London Airport. We have a number of schemes in hand at the moment, such as a new motor road from the Chiswick fly-over, the widening of the Bath road and proposals for a fast rail link. We are doing everything in our power to cut down the time.

Mr. Rankin

Is not it the case that passengers are paying nothing from Feltham to the airport and therefore the half-crown is not a true reflection of the respective charges, but, as one who is using the service, may I say that it is not true that the time is less than by bus, nor is it cheaper?

Mr. Neave

The hon. Gentleman is right. If a charge were made between Feltham and London Airport this cost, plus the rail fare between Waterloo and Feltham, would exceed the charge made to passengers conveyed by airport coach.

25. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in providing improved rail communication between London Airport and Central London.

Mr. Neave

We are awaiting detailed proposals for monorail systems. Before a conclusion is reached my right hon. Friend would need to compare these with the scheme for a conventional rail link. He would also need to take into account the large capital expenditure involved and the possible effects on rail traffic of the construction of a new motorway.

Mr. Lipton

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that as long ago as last January he had a report on the rail link and he said that he was examining it? He also said that he would get a report on the monorail, which apparently has not yet materialised. When will something happen? When will we be given some information about the Government's intentions?

Mr. Neave

My right hon. Friend is, of course, anxious to reach a decision about these matters as soon as possible, but there are very big financial considerations regarding the scheme for a rail link with the airport. It would cost between £16½ million and £18 million, and we have to examine three separate monorail systems at the moment.